Lamp-bulb socket



1,629,970 May '24? 1927' E, H. RgLlNsoN- LAMP BULB SOCKET Filed Nov. 25, 1 922 `rulll 1.* 55 4 @WLM l f QJ u @KJMM ATTORNEY.

Patented May l24 1927.

Y UNITED STATES 'PATENT oFElcE.

EARL n. BoLLTNsoN, or LYoNs ramas,

NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T COPER HEWITT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HOBQKEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

LAMP-BULB 'SOCKET'.

Application My present invention relatesl to means for overcoming the ditiiculties experienced in the use of the usual form of sockets in which rectifier bulbs or kenetron type of the incandescent cat are mounted, and more particularly to the means employed to prevent the melting or fusing of the bulb contacts at the point where connection is made withthe spring lead in the bottom of the socket. While the improved socket is designed particularly for \use `with rectier bulbs, yet its construction is such that it is admirably adapted for use with any incandescent lamp bulb.

In the accompanying` drawing forming a part of this specification,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved socket. j

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 i s a section on line III-III of Fig. 1, showingv a bulb (in section) inserted in the socket.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the socket shell.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation. of the same. Fig. 6 illustrates a slightly modified form. Fig. 7 is a plan view, showing a switch connection.

Similar reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification and draw- `he base 1 is bf any suitable insulating material, as hard rubber, fibre,or asbestos board. The socket shell is of the usual general form as shown at 2, of cup shape with the spiral corrugation formed therein, into which the bulb errule may be screwed. Th'e bottom oi the shell 2 has the wide slot 3 cut diametrically across and up the sides for 40 lsome distance, as clearly shown. It also has the screw holes 4, 4, through which the small screw bolts 5, 5' are inserted, and by which the shell is securedto the middle of the base 1.

The contact spring 6 is fastened to the base 1 by the bolts 7, 7, and its free end extends through and beyond the slot 3 with its extreme end square bent 1n position to engage the head of t e contact point 8. When not engaging contact 8, sprlng 6 is Idead, or de-energized. Leads 9 and 10 are provided, one from one ofthe bolts 5 to the binding post 11, and the other from the hode mea November 25, 1922. serial No. 603,186.

contact 8 to the binding post 12, and from i said posts circuit connections 13 and 14 are vmade with the source of electricall supply.

The usual fornnofbulb stem or shank is shown in section ,in Fig. 3. The glass envelop 15 has the `re-entrant boss 16, through which the cathode rods 17, 18 are inserted, with the" insulating 'cement C filling and surrounding the same, with the spirally corrugated ferrule'19 secured in place as shown. The cathode rod f7 's bent around and soldered to theferrule, and the rod 18 is inserted into a metal button 20, which is em bedded in the cement removed from the socket, the spring 6 will bear upon the edge of the slot 3, as shown in Fig. 2, and in dotted lines in Fig. 3, thereby breaking the circuit connection between the end of the spring and the contact point 8. But as the bulb is screwed down into the socket, the button 20 first makes contact with the sprin and then forces the spring down until its gent end engages the point 8; so that the circuit is closed at a point completely outside of the socket and away from the button20. When the bulb is unscrewed from the socket, the break occurs at the.

point 8, and never at the button20. It will be noted also, that as the spring is arrested by the edge of the slot 3, the cathode rods 1 and 18 are short-circuited through the button 20, spring 6, shell 2 and ferrule 19. The open bottom of the shell 2 permits air circulation about the point of contact between the button 20 and spring 6, and rapid dissipation of any excessive heat that may develop between t e parts, while the removal of the arcing point completely outside of the shell completely overcomes the difficulty hitherto encountered in the usual form of bulb socket.

With slight changes in dimensions, without any change in general construction or operation, the device may be readily adapted for use as a lamp socket for the ordinary incandescent lamp. In the form shown, the parts are of comparatively heavy construction, which is necessary to the service required forrectifying A.

In the form shown in Fig. 6, the basel, shell 2, glass'envelop 15, and the construction of the parts of the bulb are the same as above described. For the spring 6, I substi- C. When the bulb is r tute the pin 6', which passes through an aperture in the base and is held up by tlie spring 21. The cotter pin in the lower end of the pin 6 holds it against escape. On

the underside of the base l is a rectangularly bent contact strip 8 secured in alignment with the pin 6', by the bolts 22. Leads 23, from the strip 8, and 24 from the shell holding bolt 5, connect the socket with an outside source of current. In this form of the invention the circuit make and break is between pin 6 and the contact strip 8', thus saving the button 20, as explained in connection with Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 7. I have shown all of. the parts the same as in Fig. 1 with the exception that for the lead 10 between the contact 8 and the bindingpost 12, the small knife blade switch 10 is substituted, with the pivot connection 10 located under the head of the contact 8, and the fork connection12 mounted on the post 12. The occasion for the use of this form arises when it is desired to remove the bulb 15 While the current is on; the bulb is then so hot that it cannot be touched without burning the hand. It is only necessary to open the switch 10, when the bulb will at. once cool down and it can then be removed Without danger of burning. The mounting of the switch upon the base 1 makes the entire structure self-contained, and obviates 4the use of an outside switch in the circuit a flat spring secured to said base by a dead end connection and extending through said slot, and a contact point upon the said base, beneathl the free end of said spring and adaptedto be engaged thereby when the same is depressed by the insertion of a bulb into said shell.

2. A socket connection, comprising a slotted shell, provided With a line terminal, an insulated resilient contact bar crossing said shell in 'spaced relation thereto, and a contact terminal adapted to engage one end of said bar, in one position of the contact bar, and mounting means for the bar, whereby it engages the shell in another position.

3. In a connector the combination of a shell. a terminal connected to the shell, a terminal insulated from the shell, and insulated, terminal tree. means movable along the axis of the shell for makin and breaking a circuit between said terminals, outside of said shell.

EARL H. RoLLINsoN. 

